1913 Lockout debate in Magherafelt on Wednesday – 'Is the cause of IRELAND the cause of labour'?

‘We aim to remember the 1913 Dublin Lockout as a seminal moment in the history of the Irish working class’

IT WILL BE 'standing room only' in The Bridewell, Magherafelt, on Wednesday night when Basil McCrea MLA, leader of the newly-formed unionist party NI21, will be joined by Sinn Féin Vice-President Mary Lou McDonald TD and leading trade union and academic voices debate: “Is the cause of Ireland the cause of labour?”

This is a special commemorative event to mark the centenary of the 1913 Dublin Lockout organised by County Derry Centenaries Group and supported by the Good Relations section of Magherafelt District Council.

Announcing the high-profile panel members, Maureen Hughes, Chairperson of County Derry Centenaries Group, said:

“We aim to remember the 1913 Dublin Lockout as a seminal moment in the history of the Irish working class and have organised for a range of voices from Irish political life as well as our country’s trade unions to discuss James Connolly’s assertion that the cause of Ireland is the cause of labour.

“Our panel also includes the President of Ireland’s largest trade union, SIPTU, Jack O’Connor; Brian Campfield, General Secretary of the North’s public service union, NIPSA; as well as Queen’s University academic Dr Michael Pierse

“The debate will be chaired by acclaimed writer, journalist and strong advocate for women’s rights, Susan McKay, author of Northern Protestants.

“Everyone is welcome to attend our commemorative event but we especially extend a warm welcome to all our local students who are studying politics and history as part of their A Levels.”